Updating MIM and Group Leadership info

Hi Ladies,

It's that time of year when you need to update your MIM memberships and your Steering Team Leaders on the MOPS International database. This information is invaluable to your Field Leaders in our quest to assist you meet the needs of moms in your group. Please take time to update all your leadership info.
How do you update? Go to the MOPS Leaders website http://www.mops.org/leaders/page.php?pageid=700&srctype=menu If the managing your group pages doesn't come up you can click it in the left hand side bar. Click on register and you should get a page that asks for your username and password. That is a password that was set up when your group was first chartered. If you are a renewing group could ask the past Coordinator. Your charter # is the username, but your original steering made up the group password. It would probably be a good idea to put this info in a binder with the MOPS Handbook to pass to new Steering Team Coordinators and Finance each year.

Blessings,
Barb

Following the Father's Commands

It's that time of year when we are bombarded with things that need to be done. At MOPS we're getting ready for the Leadership For Life Summit, nominating and interviewing new Steering Team members, planning Tea and Testimonies and seeking to end well. Some of us are involved in end of the year school activities, spring sports, recitals, spring musicals, and field trips. At church we're planning VBS, summer events, teaching Sunday school, on the praise team, women's bible study and more.

How do you know what you should be doing? There are so many opportunities for ministry and service. The following article from Prime Time With God was really helpful in pointing me in the right direction....


Following Only the Father's Commands
TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." - John 5:19Have you ever thought about a typical day in Jesus' life? Perhaps He might have had questions like these, "Who am I going to heal today? Who will I visit today? Which person will I deliver from demons this day?" etc. The demands on Jesus' time were great. Yet we see that Jesus allocated His time very deliberately. We don't get the idea that Jesus was flustered or stressed from the activity He was involved in. He often sought times of prayer and reflection away from the disciples. His life appeared to have a balance of quiet moments and active ministry into the lives He came in contact with.

How do we determine what we will be involved in each day of our lives? What keeps us in sync with the will of our heavenly Father for the daily tasks He calls us to? Jesus tells us that He was only involved in those things the Father was involved in. Nothing more, nothing less. So often we determine our participation in an activity based on whether we have the time to do it or whether we desire to participate. The real question we should ask is, "Does the Father want me to participate in this activity?"

To read the rest of the article go to.....
http://www.churchgrowthmail.org/web/pageid/30781/pages.asp

Getting Donations and Sponsors for Your MOPS group

Hi Ladies,

I got this great information from a CC in Atlanta. If you are not pursuing donations and sponsors for your group is can greatly help your budget. If you are getting some donations here are a few great ideas to help you get more. Get a donations committee going under your Finance Team Leader and reap the benefits for your moms.

Get Donations & Sponsors
(For all MOPS Groups & Leaders)


1. Donation/Sponsorship Letter


Living Hope Church
3450 Stilesboro Road Kennesaw, GA 30152
770-425-6726 www.livinghopevision.com

Dear Manager :
I am writing to you on behalf of the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at the
Living Hope Church. MOPS is a non-prof i t organization designed to encourage
mothers with children under school age through relationships and resources. These
women come from different backgrounds and lifestyles, yet have similar needs and a
desire to be the best mothers they can be! As well, I feel our group is unique to the
area because we will be meeting in the evenings twice a month, which will reach out
to all moms (stay-at-home, working, single, and even teen moms).

A MOPS group provides a caring, accepting atmosphere for today’s mother of
preschoolers. Here she has an opportunity to share concerns, explore areas of
creativity, and hear instruction that equips her for the responsibilities of family and
community while her children are being cared for in a pre-school like sett ing.

On behalf of the MOPS group, we are requesting:

Sponsorship for dinner for our meetings.
Gift certificate for a “Date Night Out ” Dinner . . . many of our Moms do not have it in their budget to go out, especially when babysitting costs as much as dinner, so itis our goal to give each mom a free dinner out.

Gift certificates or store items which our MOPS Moms can use around theirhomes, for/with their families or to relax and enjoy for themselves.


We have a small budget and a big mission of providing mothers of preschoolers the
opportunity to grow and gain confidence in their abilities. Any assistance would be
greatly appreciated.

As a “Thank You” for your donations & sponsorship your business will receive a year
(or more) publicity on our Partners/Sponsors section of our website. We encourage
all of our moms to help support these businesses because you are a vital part in us
supporting our moms.

Sincerely,
Bobbie Jo Ryan
Finace Steering Team Leader

Living Hope MOPS

770 332-4242

mops_coordinator@bellsouth.net

Kim Ruch
Donations/Sponsorship
(770) 332-4242
ruchk@bellsouth.net




2. Brainstorming Form for Donations/Sponsors

Prepare a donations/sponsorship letter.
Know the needs of your MOPS Moms & Group.
Think outside the box.
Know who can fill those needs.
Don’t give up when you hear “No”… it doesn’t always mean Never!

Know the needs of your MOPS Moms & Group…

List the needs of your group below.

Needs of MOPS Moms:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Needs of MOPS Families:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Needs of MOPS Group:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Needs of MOPPETS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Other needs you can think of.







Think outside the box!

Here are some examples of the items my group received as donations.

Things for MOPS Moms & Families:

Gutter Cleaning
Carpet Cleaning (for whole house)
Car Wash Gift Cards
Oil Changes
Grocery Store Vouchers
Gift Baskets for businesses
Christian CDs, DVDs, & Books (for Moms & Kids!)
Tickets for Family Outings: Zoo & Museum Tickets
Gift Cards for Mom: Pottery, Massage, Tanning, Haircut, Manicure/Pedicure
Date Nights: gift cards
Things for MOPS Group:
Office Supplies: Paper, Ink, Pens, Binders, Dividers, etc.
Hospitality Supplies: Table Cloth, Plates, Plasticware, Cups, Decorations, Food, etc
Creative Activities Supplies: Craft Items or Ready-to-Complete Crafts, Prizes for Games
MOPPETS: Resurrection Eggs, Christian DVDs, Food for MOPPETS Program

Know who can fill the needs of your MOPS Moms & Group:
The first place I start is by going to www.local.yahoo.com this will help me search out businesses that are nearest me (or my group). You can also narrow your search by clicking on specific choices on the left side.

You have to think outside the box with this too… example:

If you want someone to donate t-shirts to your MOPS group.
You can ask someone who does screen printing or embroidering and ask if they can supply the shirts as well.
If they are not able to supply the shirts… go the next step, ask if they have any vendors you may contact to see about a donation… if they don’t search out places that supply t-shirts (Michael’s Craft Store has a variety as well as Wal-Mart). Another idea is to have those who want t-shirts to supply their own, that way you know everyone will be happy with the fit.

Tips:

It’s okay to contact businesses that are not local.
You should always have a “sales pitch” ready for the potential Sponsor.
Mine is that we will publicize for one year on our website that they have sponsored our group, that we will let our MOPS Moms know so we can promote their business and that we will use word of mouth advertising when the opportunity presents itself!
Think positive and don’t give up when you hear “No”.
Sometimes “No” really means “Not Right Now”, so be sure to ask if there is a better time you could contact them. If they give you a time, make sure to follow up!
As a MOPS group… you have the added benefit of letting the businesses know that you have Moms who are new to the area joining your group, they like having contacts who are reaching out to their “new neighbors”.
If the company doesn’t have a way to do a gift card/certificate offer to make one for them so they have not hassle! But be sure to get all the contact info and the name of the person who approved it.
Be sure the offer doesn’t expire before the MOPS Moms have time to get and use it!
When I get someone as a food sponsor I always ask if they could also donate a gift card for a MOPS Mom to have a Date Night Out (and I explain a little of the financial woes of having small children.)
If the company says NO to everything… ask if they wouldn’t mind donating a coupon (free kids meal with any adults meal, 15% off any service, buy one get one free)… some companies just want to be sure they are getting customers out of it!
It’s very, very important to have something to give them in return… the website advertising is what I have found works the best… it is something they can view themselves, check our MOPS website out (click on Sponsors & Partners)

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have!

MOPS Theme for 2007/2008

Mothers of Preschoolers
the HOME factor BEGIN HERE...GO THERE

In our homes of origin many of us learned the deepest lessons about relationship, developed life routines and acquired our tastes and preferences. And now, as moms, we long to create homes where our families can thrive and grow — and we can too.
Our homes must be safe places – physically and also emotionally safe. In them we bond, we eat and play and rest together, we decorate and provision our special home spaces. The theme the HOME factor: BEGIN HERE … GO THERE enriches our perspective and hones our abilities to create a cocoon of home.
But at its healthiest, our home experience should fill us and launch us into wider circles of investment and influence where we interact with our world. We return HOME to reconnect and refuel — but we’ll move from the HOME outwards to make a difference.
The heart of the HOME is also a picture of God’s desire to interact with us and deeply love us where we really live. He desires to make his home in our hearts. He expresses it this way in the theme verse: "...he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:17
Three key elements of this theme to explore throughout the year:
Our homes are where we bond, cocoon, build inwardly.
Our homes are where we refuel so that we can live fully in the world beyond.
Our homes are a picture of Jesus' dwelling within us.

Theme Resources and Graphic Elements
Key elements in the HOME factor: BEGIN HERE … GO THERE include simple houses representing HOME in all its diversity of size, shape and location. The butterfly represents the heart of the home, touching rooms with its glow and leaving the cocoon to soar. The earth represents our home planet, where we live in community.

Theme DVD

A 2007-08 MOPS International Theme DVD comes free to each MOPS group as a benefit of on-time Charter Renewal. This DVD will provide inspirational and practical tools to equip MOPS leaders to carry out the theme in their group. Use the Theme DVD at a Steering Team planning retreat. The Theme DVD will help your team understand the theme, simplifying theme-related planning so you can concentrate on relationships rather than details. Renew by April 30th and receive your Theme DVD in mid-May!

Dwelling: Living Fully from the Space You Call Home Book and Curriculum

Anchoring the theme is a new MOPS book and curriculum titled Dwelling: Living Fully from the Space You Call Home by Mary Beth Lagerborg, author and Director of Media for MOPS International. At the heart of Dwelling is the quest by the author to find the foundational principles for building the type of home we all crave – no matter what the home we grew up in is like, no matter what our current income or address. Through interviews, excerpts from literature, and her own experiences shaping a dwelling place for her family, Mary Beth helps us craft a home where we can live fully from our own private spaces. She then compels us to take all we gain into life in the larger world. Dwelling is warm, hopeful and practical.
The companion curriculum for use in MOPS groups will provide six video Home Tours plus additional resources for Discussion Group Leaders. Each tour will feature topics such as understanding and making room for different personalities, dining in, home as a safe place to make mistakes, comparing your home with others’, feeling trapped at home, decorating and organizing, having company and being involved in community.

Deeper Theme for Convention

The MOPS International Convention takes the annual theme a bit deeper for leadership training and spiritual enrichment of leaders. This year the convention theme is Dwell Well: Heart — Home — Planet, also based on John 14:17.

Scrip Fundraising - an easy way to raise $ for your group

If you are looking for an easy way to raise funds for your group why not try Scrip?
What is Scrip?
Scrip is “substitute money”.
When consumers purchase scrip, they receive negotiable certificates or cards that can be used like cash to purchase products or services from merchants who have issued them.
Scrip can be used to purchase anything from groceries, fuel, clothing, toys, and cosmetics to entertainment, electronics, home improvement, or household services.
Offering freedom of choice and versatility, scrip is also a great gift idea for anyone and any occasion.
Nevertheless, What makes scrip a valuable and effective fundraising tool for your organization is that as your members use it to buy their favorite products and services, they generate all or a portion of the much needed funds for your cause, projects, or programs. Go here for more info....
http://www.scrip.com/about.html

Most grocery stores have their own version of Scrip. I love the idea. If I spend $100 a week on groceries, I just trade my cash for grocery coupons at my MOPS meeting. The MOPS group gets %5 of what I spend and I don't have to spend anythinng extra.

The following is a current list of Merchants you can use Scrip with but check your local grocerys to find out if they have a program. I know Weiss does.:
A&W
Paper certificate redeemable at all locations

Acme;
A multi-use card good at all locations listed: Albertsons, Acme Markets,Jewel-Osco & Sav-on

Albertsons
A multi-use card good at all locations listed: Albertsons, Acme Markets,Jewel-Osco & Sav-on

Applebees
Applebees gift card redeemable at all locations

Arco
Arco card is redeemable on gasoline only at all locations

ARS Service Express
Servicemaster certificate (See ServiceMaster for all participating vendors

Babies R Us
Toys R Us gift card (also redeemable at Kids R Us and Toys R Us)

Bahama Breeze
A card redeemable at Bahama Breeze, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Smokey Bones

Beauty Express
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)


Bennigan's
A card redeemable at Ponderosa, Bennigan's, Bonanza, and Steak and Ale restaurants.

Best Cuts
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

Best Western
Travel card good at all Best Western locations. Go to www.travelcard.bestwestern.com for additional information.

Bonanza
A card redeemable at Ponderosa, Bennigan's, Bonanza, and Steak and Ale restaurants.

BoRics
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)


Burger King
Paper book of five $1.00 certificates

Carl's Jr.
Paper book of five $1.00 certificates

Carlton Hair Intl.
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

Carnival Cruise
Certificate used to pay for cruise through 1-800-CARNIVAL



Carrows Restaurant
Paper certificate redeemable at all locations

Carrs
Safeway card (See Safeway for all participating vendors)

Champs Sports
FootLocker gift card (See Foot Locker for all participating vendors)

Chevron
Chevron gift card is also redeemable at Texaco stations with Techron logo

Chilis
An excellent choice for dining the $25.00 card is redeemable at Chilis, Macaroni Grill, On the Border, Maggianos and Corner Bakery

Claim Jumper
Gift card redeemable at all locations

Coco's Bakery Restaurant
Paper certificate redeemable at all locations

Corner Bakery
An excellent choice for dining the $25.00 card is redeemable at Chilis, Macaroni Grill, On the Border, Maggianos and Corner Bakery


Courtyard Marriott
Marriott gift card (See Marriott for all participating vendors)

Del Taco
Paper book of five $1.00 certificates


Disney
Can be used at all Disney locations: Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, All disney stores and online at disneyshopping.com. Also redeemable for Disney Cruise Line vacation packages and for payment toward on-ship purchases. See www.disneygiftc

Dominick's
Safeway card (See Safeway for all participating vendors)

Eddie Bauer
Gift card redeemable at all locations

Fairfield Inn
Marriott gift card (See Marriott for all participating vendors)

Famous-Barr
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)

Famous Hair
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

Filene's
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)

First Choice Haircutters
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

Foley's
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)

Foot Action USA
Foot Locker gift card (See Foot Locker for all participating vendors)

Foot Locker
Foot Locker gift card redeemable at Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports and FootAction USA

Furniture Medic
Servicemaster certificate (See ServiceMaster for all participating vendors

Genuardi's
Safeway card (See Safeway for all participating vendors)

Hair by Stewarts
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

Hair Plus
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)


HairMasters
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

HeadStart Hair Care
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

Hecht's
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)

Heidi's Salon
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)


Hold Everything (Pottery Barn)
Pottery Barn certificate (See Pottery Barn for all participating vendors)

Holiday Hair
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)


Home Depot Floor Store
Home Depot gift card (also redeemable at Home Depot, Expo and Landscape Supply)


Home Depot
Home Depot gift card is also redeemable at Home Depot Floor Store, Expo, and Landscape Supply

Home Depot Expo Design Center
Home Depot gift card (also redeemable at Home Depot, Floor Store and Landscape Supply)

Home Depot Landscape Supply
Home Depot gift card (also redeemable at Home Depot, Floor Store and Expo)

HomeGoods
Paper certificate (also redeemable at T.J.Maxx and Marshalls)


Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box gift card

Jean Louis David
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)


Jewel - Osco
A multi-use card good at all locations listed: Albertsons, Acme Markets,Jewel-Osco & Sav-on


JW Marriott
Marriott gift card (See Marriott for all participating vendors)


Kaufmann's
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)


KB Toys
KB Toys gift card is also redeemable at KB Toyworks and KB Toy Outlets

KB Toyworks
Gift card also redeemable at KB Toys and KB Toy Outlets


KB Toy Outlets
Gift card also redeemable at KB Toys and KB Toyworks


Kid's Foot Locker
Foot Locker gift card (See FootLocker for all participating vendors)

Kids R Us
Toys R Us gift card (also redeemable at Babies R Us and Toys R Us)

Kmart
Good at all Kmart locations in the US. Cannot be used for charge account payments

L.S. Ayres
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)

Lady Foot Locker
Foot Locker gift card (See FootLocker for all participating vendors)

Linens N Things
Linens N Things gift card redeemable at all locations

Macaroni Grill
An excellent choice for dining the $25.00 card is redeemable at Chilis, Macaroni Grill, On the Border, Maggianos and Corner Bakery


Macy's
Macy's gift card also redeemable at Famous-Barr, Filene's, Foley's, Hecht's, Kaufmann's, L.S. Ayres, Marshall Field's, Meier & Frank, Robinsons-May, Strawbridge's and The Jones Store


Maggianos
An excellent choice for dining the $25.00 card is redeemable at Chilis, Macaroni Grill, On the Border, Maggianos and Corner Bakery

Marriott
Marriott gift card also redeemable at Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, JW Marriott, Marriott Vacation Club, Renaissance Hotels, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and Towneplace Suites

Marriott Vacation Club
Marriott gift card (See Marriott for all participating vendors)


Marshall Field's
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)


Marshalls
Paper certificate also redeemable at T.J.Maxx and HomeGoods


MasterCuts
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

Meier & Frank
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)


MerryMaids
Servicemaster certificate (See ServiceMaster for all participating vendors


Mia & Maxx
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

O'Charley's Restaurants
O'Charley's card redeemable at all locations

Olive Garden
A card redeemable at Bahama Breeze, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Smokey Bones

On the Border
An excellent choice for dining the $25.00 card is redeemable at Chilis, Macaroni Grill, On the Border, Maggianos and Corner Bakery


OSH - Orchard Hardware
The Sears card accepted at over 2000 locations Nationwide including all Sears stores, OSH -Orchard Hardware and Sears Essential Stores


P.F. Chang's
P.F. Chang's card is also redeemable at Pei Wei's

Panera Bread
Panera Bread gift card

Panopoulos Hair Salons
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

Pavilions
Safeway card (See Safeway for all participating vendors)


Pei Wei Asian Diner
Pei Wei card is also redeemable at P.F. Chang's

Plano Tavern
A gift card redeemable at any Bennigan's, Ponderosa, Bonanza,Plano Tavern, Southlake Tavern or Steak and Ale restaurant in the U.S. Please refer to the backside of the gift card for Terms and Conditions.

Ponderosa
A card redeemable at Ponderosa, Bennigan's, Bonanza, and Steak and Ale restaurants.

Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn certificate is also redeemable at Hold Everything, Pottery Barn Teen, Pottery Barn for Kids and West Elm

Pottery Barn Kids
Pottery Barn certificate (See Pottery Barn for all participating vendors)

Pottery Barn Teen
Pottery Barn certificate (See Pottery Barn for all participating vendors)

Quizno's
Quizno's certificate redeemable at all locations

Randalls
Safeway card (See Safeway for all participating vendors)

Red Lobster
A card redeemable at Bahama Breeze, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Smokey Bones

Regis Salons
Regis Salons card redeemable at the following locations: Beauty Express, Best Cuts, BoRics, Carlton Hair International, Hair by Stewarts, HairMasters, Hair Plus Salon, HeadStart Hair Care Salons, Heidi's Salon, Holiday Hair, Jean Louis David, MasterCuts,


Regis Signature Salon
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)

Rennaissance Hotels & Resorts
Marriott gift card (See Marriott for all participating vendors)

Rescue Rooter
Servicemaster certificate (See ServiceMaster for all participating vendors

Residence Inn
Marriott gift card (See Marriott for all participating vendors)


Robinsons-May
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)


Safeway
Safeway card redeemable at the following locations: Carrs, Dominick's, Genuardi's, Pak'n Save, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Tom Thumb and Vons.


Saturday's Hair Salon
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)
7%
$25.00
Sav-On
A multi-use card good at all locations listed: Albertsons, Acme Markets,Jewel-Osco & Sav-on

Sears
The Sears card accepted at over 2000 locations Nationwide including all Sears stores, OSH -Orchard Hardware and Sears Essential Stores

Sephora
Sephora gift card redeemable at all locations


ServiceMaster
ServiceMaster certificate is also redeemable at ARS Service Express, Furniture Medic, MerryMaids, Rescue Rooter, ServiceMaster, ServiceMaster Clean, TruGreen Chemlawn and Terminix.

ServiceMaster Clean
Servicemaster certificate (See ServiceMaster for all participating vendors

Shell
Shell card can be used for gasoline and merchandise and is redeemable at all locations
2%
$25.00
SmartStyle Family Hair
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)


Smokey Bones
A card redeemable at Bahama Breeze, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Smokey Bones

Southlake Tavern
A gift card redeemable at any Bennigan's, Ponderosa, Bonanza,Plano Tavern, Southlake Tavern or Steak and Ale restaurant in the U.S. Please refer to the backside of the gift card for Terms and Conditions.

SpringHill Suites
Marriott gift card (See Marriott for all participating vendors)

Staples
Staples gift card redeemable at all locations

Starbucks
Starbucks gift card redeemable at all locations

Steak and Ale
A card redeemable at Ponderosa, Bennigan's, Bonanza, and Steak and Ale restaurants.

Strawbridge's
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)

Style America
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)


Texaco
Chevron gift card also redeemable at Texaco stations with Techron logo

T.J.Maxx
Paper certificate is also redeemable at HomeGoods and Marshalls

Terminix
Servicemaster certificate (See ServiceMaster for all participating vendors


TGF Hair Salon
Regis Salons card (See Regis for all participating vendors)


T-Mobile
T-Mobile card for existing T-Mobile EasySpeak customers


The Jones Store
Macy's gift card (See Macy's for all participating vendors)


Tom Thumb
Safeway card (See Safeway for all participating vendors)

Towneplace Suites
Marriott gift card (See Marriott for all participating vendors)

Toys R Us
Toys R Us gift card is also redeemable at Babies R Us and Kids R Us


TruGreen ChemLawn
Servicemaster certificate (See ServiceMaster for all participating vendors

Vons
Safeway card (See Safeway for all participating vendors)


West Elm (Pottery Barn)
Pottery Barn certificate (See Pottery Barn for all participating vendors)


Z Gallerie
Z Gallerie gift card redeemable at all locations